Deaflympics: Kahinga, Musembi power into finals as more Kenyans eye glory in Tokyo

Among those who powered into the finals include newly crowned gold medalists Ian Wambui Kahinga and James Mwanza Musembi.

Others are Nelson Kipkorir, Isaac Atima, Rael Wamira, Hillary Kipkorir and Stephen Okoth. 

As expected, new men's 10000m champion Kahinga and the new 1500m king Musembi progressed to the final of the men’s 5,000 meters during Friday's track and field events held at the Komazawa Olympic Park Stadium.

Kahinga had opened Kenya’s medal tally on Monday in the men’s 10,000m, storming to victory in 29:19.63.

Musembi, on the other hand, produced a masterclass performance in the men’s 1,500m on Wednesday as he led from gun to tape to claim the gold medal in 3:49.83.

Today, Kahinga and Musembi went toe-to-toe at the front for the entire duration of the men’s 5,000m heat two race.

In the end, it was Kahinga who crossed the finish line first in 14:59.65 while Musembi came second in 14:59.99. 

Kenya’s Nelson Kipkorir Rotich also qualified for the men's 5000m final after finishing second in heat one in 15:28.19 behind Aws Mohammed of Iraq who clocked 15:27.94.

Speaking after the race, Kahinga, who clinched silver medal in the same event at the 2022 Deaflympics in Brazil, said he is unfazed by the stiff competition from Musembi.

Kahinga said his sights are firmly set on winning gold medal and breaking the world record.

“Team Kenya is one and I’m not worried (about the competition he is facing from Musembi). James and I have a strategy that we are going to help each other to get the best time. My goal is to get the World record," said Kahinga.

Musembi said: "We will be running again and plan is to kill them all. I will get a medal.” 

The final will take place at the same venue on Monday at 3:10pm (9:10am Kenyan time).

Team Kenya’s captain Atima also advanced to the final of the men’s 400m hurdles scheduled for Saturday at 2:30pm local time (8:30am in Kenya).

Atima finished second in heat two with a time of 54.91 while Jarvis Jermaine of the United States won the race in 54.67.

“Previously, the people I competed against today had beat me so it gave me a lot of fear. I’m very excited to have beaten them,” said Atima who was part of the Kenyan quartet that won bronze medal in the 4x400m mixed relays on Monday.

Rael Wamira also progressed to the final in the women’s long jump after recording a personal best of 5.03m. She will compete in the final on Monday.

“This is my first time being in the final in the long jump, so I’m very excited. I believe that I can get the medal. I want to get to at least the six meters mark,” she said. 

Kipkorir and Okoth qualified for the final of the men’s javelin after recording a throw of 50.58m and 49.66m respectively.

They will compete in the final on Sunday. Following Team Kenya’s impressive performance in the track and field events on Friday, Kenya’s coach Samuel Kibet exuded confidence that the country will win more accolades in the Games.

“Our players have done well from those competing in the javelin to running on the track. Tomorrow (Saturday), we expect those in the finals to give good accounts of themselves.

"Their impressive perfrormnce has given us more hopes of doubling our medal tally,” the veteran tactician stated. 

Kenya has so far won seven medals in the ongoing Games - two gold, three silver and two bronze.